IRC has work cut out, Palaso tells staff

By MALUM NALU Internal Revenue Commissioner Betty Palaso says helping to collect K9 billion next year will be a massive task for her organisation. Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari told IRC staff at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby yesterday that the commission would be expected to collect up to K7 billion and the balance of K2 billion from Customs. “We’re looking at recruiting more people,” Palaso told The National. “We are also looking at a targeted audit programmes.” She said her staff would also be following up on companies and individuals that had not lodged their tax returns or made tax payments. “We are trying to do the best we can with whatever resources we have,” Palaso said. She said her staff was trying the best they could and with the limited capacity, they were being moved around to help in other areas. “Under next year’s budget, we are hoping that we can recruit more people to help,” Palaso said. She said logging, fisheries and other industries were being targeted by the Government to pay increased export taxes. “It will be a challenge, but we will continue to do our best to bring in as much as we can,” Palaso said. “We are also looking forward to having our fellow departments support us.”